Biosafety Officer

Ministry for Primary Industries NZ; Upper Hutt; On-site; NZD 103,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional MPI leave days

Annual Wellness payment

Bi-annual paid eye test and lens costs

Job summary

The National Biocontainment Laboratory in Upper Hutt, part of the Ministry for Primary Industries NZ, has a rare full-time, permanent opening for a Biosafety Officer.

This senior role leads risk management, biosafety culture, containment training, and expert advice across internal and external stakeholders. Qualified scientists with biosafety experience are encouraged to apply before the closing date.

Qualifications

• Qualified in science, microbiology, or health and safety.
• Experience identifying and managing complex risks.
• Ability to influence others without formal authority.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Confidence providing specialist biosafety advice.
• Knowledge of containment systems and training.

Responsibilities

• Be a key driver of the laboratory's biological risk management system, ensuring safe, secure, and compliant operations.
• Coach staff and foster a strong biosafety culture.
• Exercise authority to stop work that may compromise biosafety.
• Provide expert biosafety advice to stakeholders from lab staff to external partners.
• Understand containment systems and train others in their use.
• Maintain and lead improvements in biosafety procedures.
• Identify and manage complex operational risks.

Skills

Biosafety expertise

Operational risk

Influence without authority

Relationship building

Communication skills

Judgement

Education

Science / microbiology qualification

Job description

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Ministry for Primary Industries NZ – Upper Hutt, North Island

Salary band & range: General Salary Range D: $102,953 to $120,365 depending on skills and experience

Be a key driver of biosafety at New Zealand's National Biocontainment Laboratory.

The work undertaken within the National Biocontainment Laboratory underpins New Zealand's ability to detect, investigate and respond to exotic and emerging animal diseases.

We currently have a rare and exciting opportunity for a full-time, permanent Biosafety Officer to join the Assurance, Biosafety and Containment Team at MPI's state of the art National Biocontainment Laboratory. This laboratory operates at the highest level of biocontainment in New Zealand and has been built to world leading standards for biosafety.

• Be a key driver of the laboratory's biological risk management system, ensuring safe, secure, and compliant scientific operations.
• Coach staff and foster a strong biosafety culture.
• Exercise authority to stop work that may compromise biosafety or physical containment.
• Provide expert biosafety advice to a wide range of stakeholders from skilled laboratory personnel to less skilled external stakeholders.
• Have a good understanding of key containment systems - how they operate, and able to train others in their usage.
• Maintain and lead improvements in biosafety and containment procedures.

You may currently be working in laboratory biosafety, containment, diagnostic testing, research, biotechnology, biosecurity, health and safety, or another highly regulated environment where risk management is critical. Experience in biosafety, containment, laboratory operations, or biological risk management is highly valued, however we welcome applications from people whose skills and experience align with the intent of the role.

This is a senior specialist position that requires credibility, sound judgement, and the ability to influence outcomes across a complex operational environment. You will be confident providing expert advice, building trusted relationships, and supporting others to manage risk and continuously improve their practices.

You will bring:

• A relevant qualification in science, microbiology, biological sciences, health and safety, or a related discipline.
• Experience identifying and managing complex operational risks.
• The ability to influence and guide others without formal authority.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Confidence providing specialist advice and exercising sound judgement.

The National Biocontainment Laboratory located in Upper Hutt is New Zealand's reference centre for exotic, new and emerging terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases and contains both PC2 and PC3+ laboratory facilities. The Assurance, Biosafety and Containment Team is a multi-disciplinary team responsible for a range of operational systems that ensure a safe operating environment and compliance to the required regulations and standards.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please clickhere.

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance

• You must be a NewZealand citizen or hold a NewZealand residence‑class visa (including permanent residence).
• You must have a minimum five (5)‑year background history that can be verified and assessed by the NewZealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine your suitability for a CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance.

Find out more about the national security vetting process here and access the eligibility self‑check toolhere.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred candidates(s) for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

Applications close at 11:59pm on 22nd September 2026.